Tuesday, November 17, 2009

My Obsession

...is my TNT dress pattern.

You would think that with the amount of patterns I purchase both new and vintage that I would sew more garments from these patterns rather than tinkering with and making and remaking my TNT dress pattern.  Seriously, I have made this dress over and over again in the last couple of years...

Here is a pic of the last four that I've made recently...all from that same TNT dress pattern.  Seriously would you know that all of these dresses came from the same pattern?





I keep shifting the details around and cutting up the pattern to reflect something I've seen in a magazine, or a catalogue, or in my mind's eye.  I feel like I should get a grip and move on.  Because really there are sooooo many other patterns out there!  Even amazing dress patterns...however, I have a few more versions of this dress floating around in my brain.  And I know that I won't be content creatively until I make up those last few.

So please bear with me as I play out my obsession.  It will be getting colder soon and I will need a few more pairs of pants with maybe even some matching jackets...cause I've got to do something about this obsession!  *sigh*

31 comments:

  1. Carolyn, you're an inspiration. Truly!

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  2. theresa in tucsonNovember 17, 2009 6:54 PM

    Carolyn, you are not making the same pattern. The TNT pattern is your palette, your editing of the pieces are the colors, and your sewing it up into a dress creates the final painting, so please don't change what you are doing.

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  3. Seriously even the best designers have certain silhouettes that they come back to again and again. Why not your TNT dress pattern? It is only a kicking off point that allows your creativity to shine.

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  4. Why do you need to use those other patterns? Look at the lovely red tweed dress - you took the vintage details and added them to what you knew worked. Why are you bucking your own advice and wanting to reinvent the wheel? Why? g

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  5. Each version gives me creative inspiration, along with additional sewing education. Not getting bored here!!!!

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  6. GIRL PLEASE! Do you know how long it take to get a pattern to fit you just right(of course you do). It takes time; by the time you finally got the pattern were it fits, you could have made a couple of outfits(don't I know). If you have a TNT pattern that you known will fit you correctly no matter how you play with it, that's a blessing. I'm so inspired with what I see on your blog. I just love your creations. You are the designer and your tnt is you sloper. Just keep the creation coming.

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  7. Seems to me what they all have in common is that they fit you beautifully. Keep on!

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  8. You're right that there are so many patterns/so little time. But girlfriend, your TNT pattern is a first class award winner! You do such a marvelous job with your minor tweaks that make it look like a totally new design! It's always such a treat to see your latest TNT version . . . keep it up!

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  9. I have a little project going of developing a collection of TNTs myself. You were the inspiration--and when I start to waver I remind myself of what Carolyn would do and get back to business.

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  10. You know, if I had a TNT I would certainly use it... I don't even know where to begin looking for a pattern that will work as well on my body as your TNT does on you. I love seeing everything you make with it... even though I don't comment much. You are an inspiration, and I have picked up some neat tricks for things I will be making soon from all of your posts, especially the details behind the TNT-based dresses.

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  11. I don't think it is obsessive -just very smart sewing. What I don't understand is why you keep buying other patterns when you have the perfect one already in your hot little hands. ;))

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  12. If it ain't broke, why fix it? ;)

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  13. *sigh* well, OK, I *guess* I can bear with you .... LOL
    I love your dress mojo!!

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  14. But you do this one so well, and no, I wouldn't have guessed they all came from the same pattern. You know this style is great on you. It's always good to try something new, though. I like to stay in my comfort zone when it comes to what I wear, however.

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  15. I think that it's WONDERFUL that you have worked and developed a well-fitting pattern that you can alter at will. If you want to try a new pattern, go for it, but please don't feel guilty for continuing to creatively use something that works for you. I think that having a well-developed sloper/pattern (which you know will fit) allows you to be more creative with details (seaming, piping, bias cuts, collar treatments sleeves, fabric choice, etc). I think that there is a lot of repetition in all sorts of artistry: writing, painting, music. If Shakespeare could write 154 of sonnets, all having the same structure, then you can make 154* interpretations of the dress/sloper.

    Sew what you want to sew! And enjoy doing it! :)

    Rose in SV

    *not that we are counting what hanging in your closet... :)

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  16. Call it a series, it sounds better :-).

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  17. Hey Carolyn, It has just occurred to me that I love following your blog, but have never left a message! I love following your sewing journey - and of course your super-professional modelling of finished garments too.

    I really don't think there is anything wrong with using altered versions of a favourite patterns over and over, after all if you're on a good thing, stick to it.. They look nothing alike anyhow.

    Keep blogging, I love checking out what's going on in your sewing room.

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  18. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that gets obsessed. Right now it's sweater knits. Of course, in the back of my mind, I keep thinking I have to go back to the perfect t-shirt (apparently 20+ shirts from this pattern isn't enough) for the colors that I don't have. Maybe one day I'll get to those pants. Sigh.

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  19. I think that all the dresses you have made from your TNT look amazing - and actually each one has it's own original look to it. I'm trying to build up my own collection of TNT patterns because every time I open up a new pattern I have to make so many alterations, which is very time consuming - sometimes I just want to get on and sew!

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  20. Carolyn, I would just use your TNT as a guide for altering all your new patterns....I found a perfect fitting T pattern in one of my Burda magazines, and I have used it as a guide for every knit top I make. I even cut it up the middle, added a bit and came up with a perfect cardigan to make twinsets that rival any high end department store! I know by now you may be a bit tired of that TNT dress, but I'm working on perfecting one myself that I can use as a base for all new dress patterns.....

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  21. Oh, but they are all so beautiful and probably so comfortable and so different. Why change? I need to find a TNT so everything isn't such an experiment!

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  22. I don't think it's boring at all. They come out so different and all very beautiful. I see nothing wrong with sticking with the TNT, at least you know it's going to tun out without a lot of fiddling to finesse things. And isn't that nice as busy as your schedule must be with work and all just to be able to get in their and knock out a dress? So no need to apologize to us. I will never tire of anything that you choose to make. You should make what you want.

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  23. Carolyn I have the same obsession with my TNT princess seam jacket. I've made it up 8 times now varying the neckline from jewel to "V" and in-between as well as curving the bottom edge but it always 'works' and fits perfectly. So why would I abandone it?

    Karen

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  24. I dream of the day when I have a TNT dress pattern... or pants... or top... I would never make anything else.

    I think it would be different if all your dresses came out looking the same. But they really don't. So, stop with the nonsense and on with the dressmaking!

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  25. Hey, if it's not broke don't fix it. Imagine how much money you've saved on patterns, oh, wait, my bad, you said you still buy tons of patterns. LOL. Either way, fabulous!

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  26. Please do keep your obsession of this pattern going. I can't wait to see what you make next.

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  27. I think your TNT pattern is just perfect for your dress. You change it so much for each dress that it does not look like the same as the previous one each time you make it. Use your other patterns for inspiration.

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  28. Will never tire your your TNT creations. Just love seeing your ideas. Please revisit the ole' TNT again and again.

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  29. Carolyn, I think you TNT Dress pattern is kind of your slopper. You create amazing dress from it that are all different and perfect for you. The fit is always perfect and I'm guessing your own personal comfort is the same. Why wouldn't you continue to make something that works?

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  30. Your dresses are beautiful. And you look great in them!

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  31. No your dresses do not look like their from the same pattern. I love your ingenuity. You have inspired me to take a look at what already works for me and design around that "perfect fitting" pattern. Beautiful.

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